On Thursday, July 11, 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will arraign former Minister of Power Saleh Mamman at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Mamman, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2021, was dismissed in September 2021 alongside the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono.
Arrested by EFCC operatives in May 2023, Mamman faces 12 counts of money laundering offenses amounting to N33.8 billion.
The charges, to be heard by Justice James Omotoso, allege that Mamman conspired with ministry officials and private companies to misappropriate funds allocated for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant Projects.
The charge sheet details accusations that Mamman and his co-conspirators indirectly converted N33.8 billion of government funds through various private companies. This alleged activity violates Sections 18(a) and 15(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), and is punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
One specific count accuses Mamman of conspiring with Samson Bitrus to make a cash payment of $655,700 to Mohiba Investment Limited without using a financial institution, further violating money laundering laws.
The EFCC’s charge reads:
“That you, Saleh Mamman (male), sometime in 2019, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, whilst you were the Minister of Power, conspired with other officials of your ministry and some private companies to indirectly convert the total sum of N=33,804,830,503.73 through various private companies which sums you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activity, to wit: criminal breach of trust about the funds released for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant Projects by the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
Another count states:
“That you, Saleh Mamman (male), sometime in December 2019, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, conspired with Samson Bitrus to make a cash payment of US$655,700:00 to Mohiba Investment Ltd. (acting through Mohammed Asheik Jidda), without going through a financial institution.”
These actions are contrary to Sections 1 and 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), and are punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.
Mamman’s arraignment marks a significant step in the EFCC’s efforts to address alleged corruption and financial crimes in Nigeria.
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